RAF INDOORS REPORT

MAN ON A MISSION After getting over the disappointment of the RN Indoors being cancelled, the only Comp available to me this Summer was the RAF Indoors, as advertised a couple of months ago to you all on the site with a days wakeboarding tied in for fun. (Surprise surprise no one came back to show any interest.) The Comp was to be held at Castleford, a fair old drive 'up North," but after entering last year and gaining a creditable 4 overall, I was looking forward to the Comp this year with one eye on a scalp or two of the top RAF boys who give RN team a run for the money at the Inter-Services. As a member of RAF HALTON Permanent Staff (Ships Company in Jack speak), I entered the Comp with an ex RNWSA Member and RN Champs attendee Chief Tech Dentist Ady Williams and Cpl PEd Baz Michel, who has the lungs of a horse and strength of ten men, and is a whizz on X Country skis, an up and coming Alpinist who is gaining many strings to his bow in the mountaineering department. A long drive and overnight stay in the Castleford area was worth the effort, although due to a clash of interests I had to leave early and missed out on the last event of the day has I had booked to see the best band in the world, Embrace, at the Hammersmith Apollo and I did not want to miss the concert. Inevitable, as with all alpine events, it just doesn't happen to the RN Committee and Hill teams, we were faced with delays due to many factors including the timing system which snowballed into pushing the events further down the day and causing me great anxiety has I knew I already had my work cut out, to do both events but made the decision I was leaving at 3.00, no matter what. I had promised myself to get up to MK this year a lot more than I had done last season, but yet again, I didn't and it was to be my first time Indoors this year on the morning of the race. Two runs and two crashes confirmed to me, that we all need to prepare ourselves if we want to succeed, and looking around me on the Rec. Slope, there were array of boarders that obviously got on the slopes more than I did. Confidence knocked, blaming my boots and tight calves, I retired to Starbucks for a good talking too and a coffee. Coming back it was good to see the Skiers underway in their event, but it was 11.00 and I knew I was only going to do one event. Draw made for the Slalom I was happy with my draw and managed to get an early run in and went down in 19.05, with most completing the run in an average time of 21.00. A young rider (102) was leaving the gate has I got back to the start, very fast and erratic, he reminded me of myself and he pipped me for 18.96. It looked as though the Top boys were not in attendance with Cookie manning the ropes as Referee and Sav Savage not around, although there was still plenty of competition. Second run, and my main competitors behind me, for once in my life I took a deep breath and thought about my race tactically. Normally I bansai it and stoof big time, but I have the philosophy of 'better to go as fast has I could and maybe risk creashing," rather then getting to the bottom safely, and saying "I could of gone faster." So I rode with my head in the second run with a possible victory in my grasp and I netted a solid 19.8 secs thinking at least I was in with a shout riding conservatively within my limits. With the course becoming more rutted things were looking good, as most of the lads seemed to be riding within themselves and reaching the finish line in control and upright. Rider 102, was in the gate and looking determined again, this was the one rider who could take it all away from me. He knew what he had to do and he went for it! Normally I associate speed with smooth and control, but he was the opposite with, arms flailing and hands brushing the snow, he nearly came to grief twice but flashed through the finish line smashing my time and recording a 17.8 seconds to win the comp overall. Fair cop and respect, he had done the business with the two fastest times of the day. I never had the chance to do the Dual Slalom and possible revenge, has I had to race back down the M1 on a Friday afternoon, leaving Castleford at 3.15, I had fours hours to get back to Aylesbury in what was undoubtedly the worst weather I have ever driven in - FACT! Anyone who is reading this who had to travel North on the M1 on Friday 29 Sep, you have my sympathies. It was horrendous! By the way Embrace were Fantastic! So, I am treating myself to buying a new board and I will see you at Champs. Let the Games Begin! Spank it! Smudge

Castleford Xscape 29 Sep 06 By our inrepid reporter - Smudge

Second run, and my main competitors behind me, for once in my life I took a deep breath and thought about my race tactically. Normally I bansai it and stoof big time, but I have the philosophy of 'better to go as fast has I could and maybe risk creashing," rather then getting to the bottom safely, and saying "I could of gone faster." So I rode with my head in the second run with a possible victory in my grasp and I netted a solid 19.8 secs thinking at least I was in with a shout riding conservatively within my limits. With the course becoming more rutted things were looking good, as most of the lads seemed to be riding within themselves and reaching the finish line in control and upright. Rider 102, was in the gate and looking determined again, this was the one rider who could take it all away from me. He knew what he had to do and he went for it! Normally I associate speed with smooth and control, but he was the opposite with, arms flailing and hands brushing the snow, he nearly came to grief twice but flashed through the finish line smashing my time and recording a 17.8 seconds to win the comp overall. Fair cop and respect, he had done the business with the two fastest times of the day. I never had the chance to do the Dual Slalom and possible revenge, has I had to race back down the M1 on a Friday afternoon, leaving Castleford at 3.15, I had four hours to get back to Aylesbury in what was undoubtedly the worst weather I have ever driven in - FACT! Anyone who is reading this who had to travel North on the M1 on Friday 29 Sep, you have my sympathies. It was horrendous! By the way Embrace were Fantastic! So, I am treating myself to buying a new board and I will see you at Champs. Let the Games Begin! Spank it! Smudge